2013 Recipients~

January – South Central Michigan Works
South Central Michigan works has been serving Lenawee County for over 16 years.  Their mission is to get the Lenawee County Community and its businesses back to economic prosperity.  They served over 1500 people in the Lenawee County area in 2011. They will use the Hometown Hope Grant to increase awareness of services to individuals and businesses in Lenawee County; serving people in finding employment and businesses in finding skilled workers. 

February - LEAHC
For 22 years, LEAHC, or the Lenawee Emergency and Affordable Housing Corporation has been providing homeless prevention activities to Lenawee County.  Their mission is to advance housing stability and affordable opportunities for low-income people and those in crisis or at risk.  Over the last year they have provided services to 1, 872 individuals.  Their goal with the Hometown Hope Grant is to increase awareness of their programs and services and promote their name change to give the community a better understanding of what they do. 

March – Communities in Schools of the Tecumseh Area
CISTA provides programs and services that focus on a wide range of needs, including; academic assistance, social behavior, organization skills, study skills, health and fitness, basic needs and career and college exploration.  They bring together programs and services that work with classrooms on a “whole school” level.   Their goal with the Hometown Hope Grant is to improve awareness of what they do and promote their major fund raising event the “Taste” to improve revenue generated from that event. 

April – Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee County
Habitat’s vision is “a world where everyone has a decent place to live”.  Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee County has constructed over 35 new homes, rehabbed 5 homes, and rededicated 11 homes to new homeowners.  They also operate the Re-Store, where donated building materials and household goods are sold to fund their mission.  They would use the Hometown Hope Grant to recognize the dedication of two housing projects coming to conclusion and to promote two fund raising events for the Re-Store.  Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee was established in 1989. 

May – Family Counseling and Children’s Services
FCCS oversees many programs in the community, including individual, marital, family and group counseling, the Catherine Cobb Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program, the Domestic Violence Alternative Program, Parent Education Program, and a state-licensed Foster Care and Adoption Program.  Counseling services are provided to nearly 100 families and individuals each week.  The domestic violence program has served over 337 women and 113 children in 2012.  88 foster children were placed, and 29 children found permanency and love in adoption.  With the Hometown Hope Grant FCCS hopes to increase awareness of their services, build a larger network of foster care homes, and inspire work on domestic violence by garnering people and resources to help make positive changes.  FCCS has been in operation in Lenawee County since 1961. 

June – Lenawee District Library
The Lenawee District Library has been in existence since 1935.  The library serves the citizens of the county by providing materials for lending, programming and technical assistance.  They serve six locations around the county.  Through the Hometown Hope Grant they hope to build awareness for their services, locations, the bookmobile and summer reading clubs.

July- Lenawee County Mission
The Lenawee County Mission began serving the male homeless population in Lenawee County in 2006.  They offer a Fresh Start and Life Change program and have since added the Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry serving 15,000 individuals with over 275,000 pounds of food, and Blessings and More, a resale store that not only raises funds for their mission, but also provides educational, vocational and employment opportunities for the men in their program.  The LCM will use the grant to increase volunteerism in the organization as well as to form partnerships and explore expansion opportunities to provide for the physical and spiritual needs of the hungry, homeless and addicted. 

August – Hospice of Lenawee-Hospice of Lenawee provides compassionate, patent and family centered care to people of our community during and after the last season of life.  In 2012 Hospice of Lenawee opened the Hospice Home; a facility offering residential care.  It was a $5 million dollar project much needed by the community.   Hospice will use the grant to educate the community on what Hospice means and to address misconceptions about Hospice.  They also hope to promote their bereavement services available to anyone in the community. 

September – Lenawee United Way Annual Campaign
Lenawee United Way is a non-profit community impact organization seeking to improve lives by mobilizing the community to create lasting changes in local conditions.  1 in 3 people in Lenawee County are served by programs funded through the Lenawee United Way Campaign.  They also provide the services of 2-1-1 and engage over 450 volunteers annually in the campaign and in the annual Day of Action.  The LUW will use the Hometown Hope Grant to  kick off and promote their annual campaign.   

October - Homeless Education Program
This program is in it’s 11^th year of operation in the Lenawee County Public Schools.  The program works with homeless students and families to ensure enrollment, transportation, and success in school, even while the family is homeless and may be moving multiple times.  In the 2011-2012 school year, Homeless Education served 671 homeless students in Lenawee County.  The Hometown Hope Grant will be used to develop awareness and sensitivity to the true issues of homelessness.  The grant will also be used to promote their annual fundraising/awareness raising event, PajamaRama. 

November – Communities in Schools of Lenawee
CISL has been in Lenawee County for 15 years.  They are committed to surrounding students with community support to keep them in school.  They position coordinators in partnering schools to address student needs and bring in needed community resources.  Several of their county wide initiatives include; Anti-Bullying Task Force, Lenawee Urban Exchange, Lunch Buddies and Mentors, Parent Workshops, Voices for Change and Youth Assets Development.  They will use the grant to share their work with the community, to increase volunteers in their organization, to promote their Parent Workshop Series and to promote their  On-Site Open House. 

December – Region 2 Area Agency on Aging
Region 2 Area Agency on Aging provides services to older adults and persons with disabilities to help them stay in their homes and in their communities.  They serve Lenawee, Hillsdale and Jackson Counties.  R2AAA was created in 1974 under the auspices of the City of Adrian.  They will use the marketing grant to highlight their services, including; Medication Reconciliation Management Program, Building Training…Building Quality, Nursing Facility Transition Program, Michigan Medicaid Waiver Program, Senior Community Services Employment Program, and the Care Management Program. 

2012 Recipients~

January - Victims Services Unit
The Victim’s Services Unit was organized 3 years ago and is a volunteer unit under the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Department. They serve all of Lenawee County as a “go between” during a crisis (such as sudden death, fire, etc.) for the family and the police so law enforcement and EMS can concentrate on doing their jobs. The only money the group receives is from a grant provided by the Michigan Sheriff’s Association for training. In 2010, the Lenawee County unit was “Unit of the Year’ for the state of Michigan. They hope to educate people about their services and recruit more volunteers during their featured Hometown Hope month.

February - Hospice of Lenawee, Inc.      
The Hospice of Lenawee is a community based, independent, only nonprofit hospice in Lenawee County. Their philosophy is for end-of-life care for their patients. Hospice care is available for anyone with any life limiting illness and life expectancy is six months or less.  Having the month on Hometown they hope to get the word about who they are and what services they offer to the community, especially when it comes to dispelling myths. They also hope to educate the community about their building campaign. 

March - Care Pregnancy Center of Lenawee
Care Pregnancy Center of Lenawee opened their doors in March of 1984 to serve men and women who are in need of help while facing an unplanned pregnancy. They have served thousands of clients over the years, they estimate that by the end of 2011 over 1,900 appointments will be made. They offer free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, abortion recovery care, parenting education, an "Earn While You Learn" program, Baby Boutique, abstinence education, male mentoring and court ordered supervised parenting time. All of their services are free and confidential, and If they can't help you then they will help you find someone who can. They hope to use their Hometown Hope month to share all they ways they can help their clients and educate the community on all the different programs they offer.

April - Lenawee Emergency and Affordable Housing Corporation (LEAHC)
LEAHC is a grass-roots organization that was founded 1990, incorporated in 1991 and received its 501 (c)(3) documentation in 1994. LEAHC's mission is to advance housing stability and affordable opportunities for low-income people, especially those in crisis or at risk. LEAHC provides four main programs to end or reduce the amount of time families are homeless: Housing First, Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing, and Permanent Housing. They have served over 1,100 families in need over the past year, helping over 2,400 individuals! They would like to use their Hometown Hope month to ensure that the community understands the many resources LEACH offers and how to access those services.

May - Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee County
Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee County (HFHLC) is a locally operated affiliate of of Habit for Humanity International, a member in good standing with the State Sponsored Organization - Habitat for Humanity Michigan. HFHLC was established in 1989 by an ecumenical group of people who were interested in reducing sub-standard housing in Lenawee County. HFHLC has constructed 35 new homes, renovated 4 homes and recycled 8 homes providing quality and affordable housing for 47 families in Lenawee County, which breaks down to 69 adults and 150 children. They wish to use their Hometown Hope month to educate the community on the growth of Habitat for Humanity, as well as dispell any misconceptions, let people know how they can get involved and emphasize the ReStore and what it offers.

June - Damascus Road, Inc
Since 2005, Damascus Road has worked with the homeless, jobless, ex-offenders and those in recovery. They are a Christ-based environment which works to eventually return these individuals to the workforce. They have a used furniture ministry that provides household items and furniture to those that are coming out of homelessness as well as a "Warming Area" during the months of November-April. They would like to use their Hometown Hope featured month to educate the community about who they are and all the services they can offer.

July - Lenawee Therapeutic Riding
Lenawee Therapeutic Riding provides horseback riding in a specifically designed program involving the use horses and ponies. Their mission is to enhance the lives of children and adults with physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral impairments through therapeutic riding. Lenawee Therapeutic Riding started in 1988 with 6 riders and they now serve 30-45 riders. Lenawee Therapeutic Riding is a Premier Accredited Center through PATH International and Michigan State University Proud Equestrians Program. They hope to educate the community about their program and recruit volunteers and horses for their program during their Hometown Hope featured month.

August - Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee
The Boys and Girls Club of Lenawee opened in January 2011 and is dedicated to ensuring that the community’s disadvantaged youth have greater access to quality programs and services that will enhance their lives and shape their future. "The Club" is an afterschool program open Monday-Friday between 3:00-8:00pm, and 9:00am-5:30pm during school breaks. They offer daily access to a broad range of programs in five core areas: Character & Leadership Development, Education & Career Development, Health & Life Skills, The Arts, and Sports, Fitness & Recreation. Over 1,000 boys and girls currently take advantage of their programs. During their Hometown Hope featured month, they would like to educate the community on all the ways they can help our youth.

September - Associated Charities
Associated Charities of Lenawee County is celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2012! They started in December 1912 to care for Lenawee County's needy families. Associated Charities of Lenawee County strives, through the generosity of our community, to meet the basic needs of Lenawee County citizens of all ages, with respect and without judgment.                They are the only charity on Lenawee County that gives everything free to their registered clients. Associated Charities was able to help 1,672 families in 2010 and they average over 65 families a day that meet the federal poverty guidelines. They would like to raise more awareness of all their programs.

October - Homeless Education
Homeless Education has been in existence since 2001. The program is run through Adrian Public Schools, but also serves all homeless students in public schools in Lenawee County. The program is designed to help make sure students remain in school. The number of children identified and served has grown by 100 per year since 2008. Homeless Education will use their month to continue building awareness, tell their stories and promote Pajama Rama.

November - Lenawee Humane Society
The Lenawee Humane Society was founded in 1921. They are a private, non-profit, tax exempt organization dedicated to caring for unwanted animals and providing them with medical care, food and shelter until a home can be found for them. The Lenawee Humane Society relies solely on donations and profits from fundraisers to be able to provide their services. As a Society, they believe that all life should be revered and that all living creatures should be treated with kindness and respect. They do not euthanize except in cases of unrelievable suffering or terminal illness. They would like to use their featured month to make the community more aware of the Lenawee Humane Society, what they do, and their efforts to provide for lost or unwanted pets.

December - Lenawee Great Start
The Lenawee Great Start Parent Coalition is a subgroup of the Great Start Collaborative. Together they are working to connect local early childhood resources, programs and support services into an easily accessible comprehensive system that will boost children’s development so they can start school ‘ready to succeed’. Lenawee Great Start would like to highlight a Diaper Drive during their featured month and would like to remind parents of the importance of proper diaper use for the health and well-being of their child.